HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-23 Public Comment - J. Dufficy - Ordinance 2147From:City of Bozeman, MT
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]*NEW SUBMISSION* Public Comment Form
Date:Monday, September 18, 2023 9:59:34 PM
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Public Comment Form
Submission #:2709294
IP Address:104.169.14.58
Submission Date:09/18/2023 9:59
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Full Name
James Dufficy
Email
jamesdufficy1@gmail.com
Phone
(303) 653-8270
Comments
see pdf
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James D Public Comment 9:19:23.pdf
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
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Dear City Commission,
I am writing to comment on the city ordinance 2147 to be brought up at the 9/19 meeting.
I am someone who has lived, worked, rented, and lived in Bozeman and have also experienced the dramatic increase in rent—causing me to move into my camper--either parked behind friends houses or at the farm I was working at. Fortunately, I have not had to park in public view for any extended amount of time, but I have a lot of sympathy for those who do. I would like to advocate for the people who turn to public areas when they need a place to stay as humans who are there because they have chosen or been forced into what feels like one of the only readily-available affordable housing options in Bozeman—to sleep on the side of the road or in a park. I do not think they should be subjected to additional fines, displacements, ultimatums, or removals unless there is a severe reason or threat to the wellbeing of others.
Simply being and sleeping here is not in itself a threat to others and to suggest so is to give in to a white-washed manufactured sense of safety—especially considering many of the displaced people are people of color or immigrant workers. What worries me is the vagueness language in the ordinance, like offering other “compassionate” consequences, or not clearly defining what and where the public right of way is and what specific parameters create obstructions. Of course there are hazards in certain road camps that should be addressed or cleaned up, but the current language is vague enough to bundle too many homeless in an unfortunate bundle.
I would like to see the city allocate the funds for towing and removal to appropriate and tangible other options—like creating a free area for people to camp on the abundant city land with access to operational bathrooms and electricity, or putting out portapotties and trash cans to manage waste. There are other ways to address physical issues without treating the people like objects in the way. I believe in keeping a clean camp and taking care to not leave trash or attractants out in the open, and hate to see litter and pollutants, but I think people should have other available opportunities available before an ordinance like this is passed. There should also be better protections for tenants who are subjected to cruel raises in rent or other surprise evictions that help create the spike in houseless people in the area.
Thank you for your time,
James Dufficy